[Closed] Reveal the Path was a bit....

You got a signed poster of someone you find tiresome and condesending?
Enjoy 😉

Pretentious men with beards go on holiday and are incredibly smug about it all. Then make a not particularly well shot video of their holiday, with lots of added sixth form 'philosophy' voice overs. Still, I imagine it would have gone down well with some on here. 😉

Just didn't particularly make me want to go and ride my bike.

Strength in numbers was ace though. I know it was probably much higher budget and the shots were more set up, but the cinematography was just on a completely different level. Spent lots of it going ooh I'd like to do that/go there.

As I wrote on another thread the other day.

Reveal the path dropped through my letter box this week, massive disappointment, it's all about the type of riding I inspire to, apart from its really all about being a new age American hippy patronising the world they don't know with a few wasted bits of riding thrown in.

Well I enjoyed it. I know it comes across as all a bit spiritual, (which is definitely not me), but I enjoyed the different locations and the fact that it wasn't all just gnarr hard core riding.

I think the whole idea of the path/journey seemed a bit forced, but not sure they were meaning to be smug about it.

Oh, I don't have a beard, camper van or Audi before getting a pasting.

I'm with 88 and gum on this one. bloody late night too, I was expecting to be on the way home around 10pm, not sitting down to watch the second film - was considering going home but glad I didn't, it was far better than the first.

Well that was a late one wasn't it. I was genuinely suprised by the length of the queue outside the picturehouse when I arrived - hopefully the guys will consider getting more screenings going in the future.

Despite the lack of gnarly riding I really enjoyed Reveal the Path, some of the spiritual side of things was a little over egged but it was nice to see a cycling film about a bunch of friends on a journey however it could have done with a bit more lead in to the areas and rides they were doing.

I can't but feel its ripe for a bit of a spin off 'Reveal The Faff' though.

Was the trailer unrepresentative then?

Dull, turned it off, everywhere looked the same to me.
Scree slope through little gully's and ravines or jumps from the fingers of the gully's to scree.
High five's all round.
Move to the next country and repeat.

I enjoyed bits of it, and I think it would definitely be possible to make a good film of this type of riding, it's just this wasn't it for me. Alaska looked cool, but most of it despite them clearly going to some amazing places it just wasn't very inspiring.

It was a blimmin late night. Especially for an hr drive back to Mancheter.

Cheese@4p - Free shash is free stash 🙂 And it' actually a bloody nice poster, better than the film anyhow

Strength in numbers was good, re-confirmed by omni-crush on the Atherton Clan (yes, all of them)

I reckon Strength in Numbers was a bit dull. Sure, there was some fancy, high-end camerawork, but the riding hasn't really moved on in ten years, there were too many arty slo-mo shots and somehow they made Whistler look like Dalby. Earthed Five has more wow factor for me.

Dull, turned it off, everywhere looked the same to me.
Scree slope through little gully's and ravines or jumps from the fingers of the gully's to scree.
High five's all round.
Move to the next country and repeat.

Not sure what you were watching, but that wasn't Reveal the Path.
Or strength in numbers.

Think it might be "where the trail ends" they were referring to.. Sums it up perfectly!

I think there's a bit of a crossover going on here with "Where the Trail Ends", which was also pretty dull.

Edit; answered!

I guess he must be referring to "Where the Trail Ends"
But I can see the confusion.

I wanted to get to Hebden last night, but was thwarted by a school opening night schedule clash 🙁

I hope the Reveal the Path voiceover wasn't as bad as Lifecycles!

[i]I think there's a bit of a crossover going on here with "Where the Trail Ends", which was also pretty dull.[/i]

I haven't seen any threads on here about 'Where the Trail Ends' - perhaps it deserves one of its own?

I still think the best MTB film is Life Cycles. Love the cinematography

Life Cycles commentary sounded like a parody it was so cliched. I didn't know whether to laugh or cringe. Ended up doing both. Cinematography so slick it left me cold.

Oooops, I meant "where the trail ends". 😳

Reveal the path was dull too though. Not enough riding, not enough camp scenes and too many patronising yanks being philosophical.

Disappointed, with both.

I still think the best MTB film is Life Cycles. Love the cinematography

I'm sure it's fabulous if you can actually stay awake. I've never actually managed to watch more than about 15 mins of it though.

[i]not enough camp scenes[/i]

mrs.

[img] [/img]

Very good wwaswas. 😀

Did the people who liked/disliked Reveal The Path like/dislike Ride The Divide?

Ride the Divide for me was better, not great, but defo better.

I enjoyed ride the divide, same director isn't it? Mike Lee is a legend.

Thanks everyone who came along last night. Sorry about the queue to get in - the cinema was genuinely shocked at how many people wanted to come and watch films on a Thursday night about push bikes. The delay in starting the film was purely due to the backlog in getting everyone in. They reckon next time they'll sell tickets in advance, plus open earlier.

I knew it might be bit of a controversial move having two films of such contrasting content on the same night, but as it was the first time we'd been able to run a mountain bike film night there I thought that at least we'd have something to hopefully appeal to everyone.

It sounds like the Picturehouse will have us back, so I'll see if we can get some time in the spring and I'll canvass opinions on what film(s) to show. Oh, and they now know to get more real ale in. A LOT more.

I'd recommend An Epic Tale.

The [i]only[/i] MTB film I've ever really enjoyed was Pulp Traction, no other trailer ever really made me want to watch another, with the possible exception of Ride the Divide.

That said, Vast looked good when I caught some of it at Mud Dock the other week, anyone know where the trail above the glacier is? That's on my Bucket List.

Was the trailer unrepresentative then?

Sorry, on re-reading it my first post may have sounded more negative than I wanted. Neither of the films last night were bad, just the Reveal The Path wasn't as much as I'd hoped for / expected, given the trailers. It was a great idea and if it happens again I'll certainly consider another trip, especially if we can work towards an earlier finish then I can get home at a reasonable hour.

Chipps - would they be amenable to a Saturday night film do? I reckon if you could do that, the place would sell out. Get more beer in, get the chipppy to deliver 300 rounds of fish and chips in the interval and you could charge £15 for two films and a fish supper 😀

I wanted to like Reveal The Path, but yes, the self-help cod-philosophy got annoying very quickly. Too earnest, and it felt a bit forced. I thought they needed more adversity, like the bit where the chap fell off and mangled his hand or the bit where the camera chap threw a strop because it was too hot, these were interesting insights into how people cope with problems. And when they went to Morocco and Nepal I started to feel the same way as I do when listening to some university kid bore on about how they "found themselves" when they went travelling in their gap year, and how "amazingly welcoming the natives are". **** off.

But I liked the Alpine bit and the Scottish bit, bike-shop blokey made me laugh: "Midges are like Glaswegian women, but with teeth." The scenery was impressive, and I thought the wobblycam out-of-focus camerawork was a pleasing contrast to the usual razorsharp 1000fps hero-dirt gnar-shredding of recent MTB films.

Not that I have a problem with that sort of thing: it was great seeing Strength In Numbers on a big screen. Leave your brain at the door and marvel at nutters doing stupid stuff on bikes, splendid.

Minor criticism aside, all in all it was a very enjoyable night out, thanks for organising it!

Notwithstanding the relative merits of each film, just wanted to say thanks to the organisers - the event made my week 😀

What would ever make anyone think that people riding bikes on a beach would be worth filming? ridiculous unnecessarily massive tyres or not?

Great night thanks guys. highlights for me were getting nostalgic about Verbier, I need to get one of those unbreakable ceramic pots for all my pound coins! The best footage from Fort William I have ever seen, I thought the riding community build around the post office jumps was captured really well and the and the BC trail builders section.. I think they were the biggest fastest series of jumps I have ever witnessed, not really a whole new level but definite progression. Is it just me though or does it feel a bit dirty watching MTB films with a massive group of people? its like going to the cinema to watch hard porn 😉

more please!

Glitchy reply-requested bump...

Oh and yes ... in response to the thread title... Reveal the path was more mockumentary to me, especially the alaska beach riding freaks. I fell asleep twice but I do quite appreciate a bit of extra rest.

I enjoyed it but I don't get out much. 'Reveal' could have easily been cut by 20 mins - ok you are riding somebody else's rickshaw, I've got it now... - bits of it were quite inspirational, I thought. Or was I just thinking 'I'd rather be riding my bike'? ;0)
T'other one was fun if not in any way original. It was good to get out, be with a load of like minded folk and see something creative. Big thumbs up from me to Chipps and crew for organising (and remembering to bring a copy of the latest mag).

as I travelled with & sat next to mintimperial (no holding hands though...) I would just like to say I agree with what he said up there - as it saves me writing a similar, less eloquently scribed post 🙂

RE: the queue, we were also surprised, we rolled up at around 7.30 and the queue was such that we joined it rather than going for a beer 😯
Overall, good effort Chipps et-al for running the night, I think looking at others would make sense.
Pretty sure we'd be looking at midweek though as Fri / Sat must surely be the nights the cinema makes it's regular income, showing the mainstream films?

[quote=marsdenman]
Pretty sure we'd be looking at midweek though as Fri / Sat must surely be the nights the cinema makes it's regular income, showing the mainstream films?

We half filled the cinema on a schoolnight. Run it on a saturday when people don't have to go home and can hang around for a ride on the sunday, I reckon you could fill that cinema

It looked closer to full than half full to me. The cinema does occasionally host special events on saturday nights, but they tend to be bigger live music or stand up gigs. They may be up for it though and the beauty of its new community run status means it should be a bit more flexible than when calderdale council controlled it.

dislocated finger was funny though, eh?

Looked closer to full to me as well.

I guess I was a little overly negative earlier too. Well done Chipps for putting it on and I'd definitely come again. I think having two different types of film is a good plan (and they were definitely the right way round). From a photographers perspective - Strength in Numbers was just awesome to see on the big screen - virtually every shot would have made a great photo if you froze it. The bit in Switzerland was amazing - really want to go and ride there.

Reveal the Path was worth a watch but could have been a lot better. Bits like the opening scene where they 'decided' to go on the trip were so clearly contrived as well - and the bit around the campfire in Alaska was just overwhelmingly smug. Definitely agree it was too long as well, and I thought exactly the same about the rickshaw sequence.

I would probably have rather watched an hour of the Sweary Northerners tbh. 🙂

Which leads me to the idea - would be cool to see some efforts by talented amateurs on the big screen - mebbe some workshops/a competition to make a short MTB film and the winner gets shown - make it into a little mini bike-film festival. It seems like the demand is clearly there - amazing turnout really.

It made a nice change from the noraml Thursday night rides, as it's been said before I really wanted to like Reveal The Path and I enjoyed around 80% of it, it was dull in places and inspiring in other places.

From both films I want to go to Nepal to ride the singletracks, looks a perfect for the type of riding I aspire to.

Thanks Chipps

PS why was the 2nd film called Strength in Numbers?

JohnClimber - I'm assuming it's an allusion to the diversity and size of the MTB community and how that will ensure the continuity and growth of the sport in the future....

Or something like that.

Best bit at 4mins 🙂

Top night I thought... Thanks singletrack! I do agree with many of the comments on the films but they were still considerably better than anything that might have been on telly.

I did suffer a reduced attention span during the second offering however that could have been avoided had I not been"forced" to drink Stella - more ale next time please!

PSA - for anyone else who saw the Verbier (Switzerland) bits of Strength in Numbers and thought "I fancy a bit of that", these guys will deliver it big time www.bikeverbier.com. They guide on some of the very same trails shown in the film. 100% recommended.

Earlier criticisms of the films aside, it was a good night out, so ta for organising and I'd defo come to see other biking films at the Picture House.

the only good thing about 'Reveal the Path' was that one of the guys looked like Chuck Norris.

Strength in Numbers was great, enjoyed it.
It was nice to see a 5 year old who can jump a bike alot better than me.

good night, thanks singletrack

First off thanks to Chipp for bringing our film to the UK. As a creator of things you always appreciate your work getting in front of an audience. So thank you guys as well for taking time out of your busy schedules to show up and watch our films.

Our goal with Reveal the Path was to get folks thinking outside the box, outside your local trail system, outside your own country. Perhaps plant a seed that leads to climbing out of the rut some might find themselves in. We knew the “philosophy” element was much stronger in this film compared to our previous project, Ride the Divide.

Now that the film has been out there for a few months we are discovering about 50% of people really identify with the film and its message while the other half feel its not a fit for them. It’s perhaps a bit like musical tastes; some folks can’t get enough of the ‘Dub Step’ while it rubs others the wrong way. Some gravitate towards ‘Death Metal’ while others shake their heads in disgust.

As we brainstorm concepts for new projects we would love to hear what you would like to see up on the big screen. What would get you really excited in a MTB film? Feel free to email me directly with your thoughts and comments mike@revealthepath.com

I understand the night ran long. For those of you that might like to watch the film again in the comfort of your own home, please use use this coupon code for 50% off anything in our webstore”
Code: DREAMBIG
Webstore: http://revealthepath.com/store

Now get out there and ride your bike!

A night of highs and lows for me starting with getting the last fish supper @ the chippy then finding a £10 after leaving the hole in the wall pub @12am!
Reveal the Path was a disapointment very contrived and not well shot,the trailer was very missleading glad I did not download it!
Rather not watch friends sit in shelters waiting for the rain to stop then larking around on rickshaws for 10 mins and getting a local to do a singalong.Would have been far better to watch them suffer riding a phat bike up Alp D,huez and around the rest of the places they visited.
Strength in numbers was good but It was a repeat for me.
Well done Chipps and crew great venue shame about the beer cock up had to drink stella and larger for the rest of the evening!
See you again possibily

[quote=revealthepath ]For those of you that might like to watch the film again in the comfort of your own home, please use use this coupon code for 50% off anything in our webstore”
Code: DREAMBIG
Webstore: http://revealthepath.com/store
Now get out there and ride your bike!
Sorted!!

Really looking forward to seeing it now!

postierich - I thought I recognise that rather nice v dub camper pulling onto the car park!

Interesting you felt that way about "Reveal the Path". Maybe if you were as amazing as I am, then you would relate to the people in it. Only joking, thought they were all a bit smug and unappealing. I bet the Americans love it.

DVD just arrived. I'll put my feet up and watch it later with a beer and/or whisky in hand.

Druidh will no doubt say he likes it, seeing as the prevailing STW opinion seems to be a bit 'meh'. 😛

I know my tastes often vary from the sheeple 😛

Don't worry, you'll all catch up with me at some point. Dayglo and moustaches are on their way for 2014.